Are Dental Assistants in Demand?
Are you thinking about starting a new career? If you’re passionate about helping others and you’re looking for a career with opportunity for growth, then becoming a dental assistant might be right for you. Dental assistants increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental care team. The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, enjoys working with both their hands and their mind, can multi-task, and is reliable. A dental assistant performs several tasks that require both technical and interpersonal skills, making them the nurses of the world of dentistry. Continue reading if becoming a dental assistant sounds appealing.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant?
The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and diverse in a dental office. Although the full list of dental assistant responsibilities depends on your state, dental assistants generally perform the following tasks:
- Assists the dentist during treatment procedures
- Asks for the patient’s medical history
- Takes the patient’s blood pressure and pulse
- Takes and develops dental radiographs (x-rays)
- Helps patients feel comfortable before, during, and after the procedure
- Provides patients with instructions for oral care following surgery
- Teaches patients about maintaining oral health by teaching them how to brush their teeth and floss properly
- Performs office management tasks on a computer
These are just a few of the many duties of a dental assistant. The varied responsibilities of a dental assistant mean there’s never a dull day in the dental office, as you’ll always have a different task to keep yourself busy.
Are Dental Assistants in High Demand?
Some people who go back to school and enroll in a degree program may not have stable career prospects. Others select a degree program based on the potential money to be made, even if they’re not passionate about that particular field of study. Fortunately, if becoming a dental assistant sounds like the career of your dreams, you’ll be pleased to know dental assistants are in high demand. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow by 11 percent from 2020-2028, making dental assisting one of the fastest-growing careers.
Thanks to a growing population and ongoing research linking oral health and general health, there’s an increase in demand for preventive dental services. As the workload of a dentist increases, they’ll need to hire an assistant to help them perform routine tasks. A dentist who works with an assistant has more time to work on high-stakes dental procedures.
What Are the Advantages of Being a Dental Assistant?
Becoming a dental assistant comes with several benefits, some of which are:
- Flexibility: Career options include both part-time and full-time positions, so you’ll work with a schedule that suits your needs.
- Excellent working conditions: Dental offices are engaging, people-oriented environments with which to work.
- A sense of accomplishment: You can help patients who are scared of going to the dentist feel better about their experience.
- Room for growth: Successful dental assistants usually work their way up and become a dental hygienist, and others continue their education to become a dentist.
Dental assisting has quickly sprouted into a popular field with plenty of potentials. If you’re detail-oriented and want to provide others with hospitality, becoming a dental assistant is perfect for you. Dental Essentials School of Dental Assisting offers a hands-on, 10-week program with competitive tuition pricing. Contact us today to enroll.